Lights star Bell gets Euro outings

The 26-year old American has taken four wins and five poles in the Champ Car feeder series this year. He tested twice for the Patrick team in August and was tipped to replace Roberto Moreno until the Brazilian responded with a series of strong performances, culminating in his victory in Vancouver last weekend.

"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to run Townsend at these two overseas races," said team owner U.E. 'Pat' Patrick. "He has done an outstanding job in the Indy Lights championship, which I created specifically for young drivers to give them an opportunity to showcase their talents.

"Additionally, both his tests with Patrick Racing went extremely well. Putting him in one of our cars for the next two races is the next logical step for both him and Patrick Racing."

Team sources said the deal with Bell may extend through the rest of the 2001 season if the European races, at EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Germany and Rockingham in the UK, go well.

"Needless to say I am ecstatic about running my first Champ Car race," Bell said. "It is something I have been working towards for several years. I want to thank Mr. Patrick for this tremendous opportunity.

"The Patrick Racing team clearly has put great cars on the track this year and I am confident I will have the tools I need to do the job. I am cautiously optimistic about showing well in my first race."

The choice of races increases Bell's chances of putting up a good showing , since no currently active drivers, bar Bryan Herta, have prior experience of Eurospeedway Lausitz in a Champ Car, while none have run at Rockingham, apart from demonstration runs in road cars.

Alex Barron tested a Dale Coyne Racing Lola-Ford at both venues recently as a data-gathering exercise for governing body CART, but is not scheduled to take part.